Review of The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) by James M — 03 May 2007

Orson Welles did it again with a superb film that comes only second to his Citizen Kane! The story, based on Tarkington's novel, is interesting and tragic. It follows young, stubborn, and pompous George Amberson Minafer tries to control the people around him, including a doomed love between his widowed mother and her childhood sweetheart.

Welles has crafted an intelligent story about tragic anti-heroes, the downfall of the rich, and the ironic unhappiness that stems from the American Dream. All those involved give spectacular performances, most notably Agnes Moorehead as the dependent Aunt Fanny that can't let the past go.

Welles has an interesting and certainly unique way of making the audience somehow care for otherwise pathetic characters: and in this case, George. Cotten and Baxter also give complementary performances as a perfect portrait of a daughter-father relationship.

And again, Welles gives a sharp and witty script that he directs almost flawlessly, proving once again that he is one of the greatest directors of all time.